Conrad, Joseph

concerning the grant to Conrad of £500 from the Royal Bounty Fund, explaining his hopes for the money ("...I start from the principle that the first and main intention has been to procure for me the ease of mind necessary for tranquil and steady writing, in which - and in which alone - is to be found a radical and complete remedy for my difficulties..."), outlining his debts in detail, dwelling on his difficult financial situation and explaining that his debts would have had to be "repaid with 'copy' written for dear life ... the mere thought of that escaped burden turns me chilly with apprehension even now...", but responding with evident hurt pride to the suggestion that a solicitor be appointed to settle his debts on his behalf, and finally expressing his thanks to Newbolt for his assistance ("...gratitude too is fated to remain unexpressed. It is a feeling which to keep its warmth must perforce remain ... locked in one's breast. Searching for adequate expressions is a too cold blooded proceeding to be possible for a writer whose daily task is just this deliberate turning over of the awful formless heap of words...!"), also mentioning his temptation to accept a commission to write an article on Nelson and asking for advice ("...My ignorance of the Admiral's career is appalling..."), also an autograph enclosure listing creditors and instructions relating to the settlement of debts, altogether 37 pages, various sizes, 9 Princes Gate, Bayswater, London, Pent Farm, near Hythe, Kent, and Montpellier, 23 May 1905 to 10 April 1906, occasional nicks

together with a bundle of related letters and documents, comprising: a series of 23 autograph letters and one autograph card signed by William Rothenstein to Newbolt, expressing his concern about Conrad, his pressing needs, and discussing ways of providing him with financial assistance, obtaining Edmund Gosse's support ("...I am most touched by Gosse's prompt & considerate action in seeing [Prime Minister] Balfour..." [31 June 1904]), and Conrad's behaviour ("...I wish he would not be so humble about his books ... as though apart from this windfall no coins have ever fallen into his lap..."), 4 of the letters with subscriptions by Newbolt, 34 pages, various sizes, 26 Church Row, Hampstead, London, 9 June 1904 to 5 April 1906; one letter by Alice Rothenstein, to Newbolt, 4 pages, "Friday" [June 1905]; 7 autograph letters signed by Edmund Gosse, to Newbolt, on his work on Conrad's behalf including his approach to Balfour ("...The Chief is manifestly affected by the romance of Conrad's life..."), 15 pages, 26 June 1904 to 6 April 1905; 2 draft letters by Newbolt to Conrad, 2 pages, 1905; a letter from the Prime Minister's office confirming the grant to Conrad, 1 page, 10 Downing St, 4 May 1905; a bank account book in the names of Newbolt and Rothenstein, recording the payment in instalments of the grant of £500 to Conrad, with 22 signed cheques loosely inserted, 11 signed by Conrad on the verso, and two books of cheque stubs, May-December 1905; four other items including a letter by John Conrad to Ugo Mursia, 1974, occasional nicks and tears

Henry Newbolt; by descent to Peter Newbolt; Sotheby's, 13-14 December 1971, lot 788, £500, to Dr Ugo Mursia

Collected Letters, III, 250-53, 257-67, 275-77, 328-29

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A substantial archive providing a fascinating insight into both Conrad's personal affairs and the upper echelons of Edwardian literary society. This generous grant of £500 (equivalent to about £44,000 today), one of several that Conrad received in the years when his sales lagged behind his critical reputation, came from an unusual source: the Royal Bounty Fund was a secretive fund in the absolute gift of the Prime Minister that made annual charitable grants for over 200 years, until it was wound up in 2002.